Final: Starters fare well before 49ers backups key 10-6 defeat

Colin Kaepernick completed all four of his passes. Linemen blocked well for LaMichael James’ runs. Then the 49ers defense kept Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos from breaching midfield.

But a cascade of turnovers (four) followed from the offense’s reserves, and among the guilty parties was embattled wideout A.J. Jenkins, who fumbled his only reception.

“You turn the ball over four times and you’ve got work to do,” Harbaugh said after a 10-6 loss kicked off CandlestickPark’s farewell season.

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Kaepernick sure looked primed for a return shot at the Lombardi Trophy, marching the offense down field despite the absences of running back Frank Gore and center Jonathan Goodwin.

Kaepernick’s first three passes went to the two receivers he’s expected to count on most this season: Vernon Davis (12-yard catch) and Anquan Boldin (10- and 4-yard receptions).

“They’re both great players with great attributes that quarterbacks like,” said Kaepernick, who even showed off his dual-threat ability with a 6-yard run to the Broncos’ 20.

With Michael Crabtree sidelined into late into the season because of an Achilles injury, Kaepernick needs to find other capable wideouts. Sure enough, he eluded sack artist Von Miller on a third-down play and completed a 12-yard pass to Marlon Moore, who got the start before rotating in the first series with Jenkins.

Harbaugh called Moore’s catch “spectacular” and based the newcomer’s start on his practice prowess.

The 49ers’ defense came through with their share of elite plays, too, even without mainstays Justin Smith (finger) and Patrick Willis (hand).

Aldon Smith didn’t need long to reprise his role as a pass-rushing menace, pressuring Manning into a third-down incompletion to halt the Broncos’ first possession. Smith pushed past All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady and then hit Manning just enough so a third-and-9 pass failed to reach Wes Welker.

“I should have gotten the sack, but pressure’s pressure, right?” said Smith, who had a franchise record 19 ½ sacks last season.

Smith celebrated by lightly tapping Manning’s backside, and Smith then joined most of the 49ers’ first-string defense on the sideline for the rest of the night.

— Rookie safety Eric Reid made a couple big hits in his 49ers debut, starting with one on tight end Virgil Green after he slipped past Nate Stupar for a 13-yard catch. Reid also made a third-quarter tackle that upended Kemonte’ Batemen.

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The 49ers expect more of the same from Reid, the 18th overall draft pick and their potential successor to Dashon Goldson, who left in free agency for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Former Rams safety Craig Dahl started ahead of Reid, however.

— Second-string quarterback Colt McCoy said he will undergo a “precautionary” MRI Friday on the right side of his neck and shoulder. He played through a nerve (stinger) injury and did not return after his final pass was intercepted just before halftime. He finished 3 of 7 for 41 yards.

— Rookie linebacker Nick Moody sustained a third-quarter injury to his left leg, and he claimed the injury is minor to his lower hamstring rather than knee.

— The 49ers’ worst miscue came when rookie D.J. Harper fumbled at the 49ers’ 9-yard line, where Broncos linebacker Shaun Phillips recovered the ball and returned it for a touchdown and 7-3 lead.

— Two plays after Harper’s fumble, Scott Tolzien completed an 11-yard pass near midfield to Jenkins, who fumbled when hit by safety Duke Ihenacho. Jenkins, last year’s fisrt-round draft pick, had no receptions as a rookie.

— LaMichael James’ recovered his own third-down fumble deep in 49ers’ territory, but it reignited concerns over his ball security. James lost a fumble on the 49ers’ second series of the Super Bowl. This time, James said he never had control of the ball after McCoy’s handoff. James finished with eight carries for 27 yards.

— Rookie tight end Vance McDonald had a team-high four catches for 66 yards, helping offset a couple drops in his debut.

— Sandwiched between Phil Dawson’s 32- and 38-yard field goals was his miss of a 44-yard attempt as the first half expired.

— Dan Skuta led the 49er with two sacks, Parys Harlason had one, and Michael Wilhoite combined for one with Demarcus Dobbs.

— Cornerback Eric Wright was signed to a one-year contract and immediately got placed on the non-football injury/illness list for undisclosed reasons. The 49ers nullified a trade for Wright from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on June 22 because of a failed physical.

— Lawrence Okoye, the former British Olympic discus thrower, played about six snaps late on the 49ers’ defensive line. “He did alright and I’m excited for him,” defensive line coach Jim Tomsula said.

— Linebacker Ahmad Brooks commented for the first time about his off-field altercation with teammate Lamar Divens, telling The Associated Press: “It’s in the past. What happened obviously happened. I don’t think it needs to be talked about.”

There is talent drop off for all teams. Denver played many of their starters much longer than S.F. even though Manning left early. Looking around the league a lot of teams played starters longer than S.F. Seattle QB Wilson played almost the entire first half.